Nature's Bounty!

The much needed rain we finally had did not keep shoppers away from the Farmers' Market this week-end. The aisles were thronged with people buying flowers, handicrafts, soap, honey, fruit, eggs, cheeses, meat, and vegetables. The St. Paul Market is indeed indigenous. This year they relaxed a rule, which now states that instead of 50 miles, vendors from as far away as 70 miles from the city limits may sell their wares at the central market on week-ends or throughout the city during the week at various satellites. This pleases me; now sellers of merchandise from Central America and places distant from St. Paul do not compete with our local farmers. We have families with large agricultural holdings and mom and pop outfits with booths next to one another, selling what they have grown or made. One woman sells handicrafts made exclusively by senior citizens, another has developed a thriving business of herbs and vinegars that she mixes and packages herself. Our community of Hmong are well represented, selling both food and their beautifully embroidered handiwork. As you can see by the photo, an abundant harvest of beautiful tomatoes were everywhere. Early hours of the week-end during the summer invariably find me walking the aisles of our central market. I love it and miss it during the winter months.